Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) 1960
Abhyanga snan before sunrise; Krishna's victory over Narakasura.
Muhurat & timings
Kashi/IST · astronomically computed- Sankalp (sunrise)05:58
- Sunset17:26
- Fasting window (tithi)1960-10-18 · 19:12 → 18:42
- Parana (tithi ends)18:42
Festival days follow the classical attribution rules — udaya (sunrise), pradosha (evening), nishita (midnight), madhyahna or aparahna vyapini as each festival prescribes — computed for Kashi/Varanasi (IST). Regional observance can differ by a day in some years.
Read the Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) puja vidhi, vrat rules and kathaNaraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) — Frequently Asked Questions
When is Naraka Chaturdashi celebrated?
On the Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha of Kartika, in autumn — the fourteenth day of the waning fortnight, the day before Diwali. For this year's date, see the date shown above.
What is the abhyanga snan?
A ritual bath taken before sunrise on Naraka Chaturdashi, after the body is massaged with oil and a herbal ubtan. It is held to wash away the year's accumulated inauspiciousness, so one enters Diwali clean — hence the name Roop Chaudas.
Why is a lamp lit for Yama on this day?
A lamp is lit in the evening for Yama, the lord of death, often facing south, with a prayer against untimely death. It sits alongside the festival's memory of captives freed by Krishna.
How is Choti Diwali related to Diwali?
Naraka Chaturdashi is the eve of Diwali; the two evenings run together, with lamps lit on both. Choti Diwali centres on the pre-dawn bath and Narakasura's defeat, and Diwali the next night on Lakshmi Puja.
Other major festivals in 1960
- Makar Sankranti — 14 January 1960
- Vasant Panchami — 1 February 1960
- Maha Shivaratri — 25 February 1960
- Holika Dahan — 12 March 1960
- Holi — 14 March 1960
- Chaitra Navratri begins — 28 March 1960
- Ram Navami — 5 April 1960
- Akshaya Tritiya — 28 April 1960
- Jagannath Rath Yatra — 26 June 1960
- Guru Purnima — 8 July 1960
- Nag Panchami — 29 July 1960
- Raksha Bandhan — 7 August 1960
- Krishna Janmashtami — 13 August 1960
- Hartalika Teej — 25 August 1960
- Ganesh Chaturthi — 26 August 1960
- Anant Chaturdashi — 4 September 1960
- Pitru Paksha begins — 6 September 1960
- Sharad Navratri begins — 21 September 1960
- Durga Ashtami — 28 September 1960
- Maha Navami — 29 September 1960
- Dussehra / Vijayadashami — 30 September 1960
- Karwa Chauth — 8 October 1960
- Dhanteras — 18 October 1960
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) — 19 October 1960
- Govardhan Puja — 21 October 1960
- Bhai Dooj — 22 October 1960
- Chhath Puja — 25 October 1960
- Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali) — 3 November 1960
- Guru Nanak Jayanti — 3 November 1960
- Hindu Festivals 1960 →